Category: Philadelphia

It’s A Wrap as the Untouchables Shut Down the Untouchable Wrap Party Last Night

And I have some tidbits I couldn’t tell you before:

The movie is based on a hugely popular French movie – Intouchables, now known as The Intouchables, Interesting title, but here in the states we
already had a huge hit called The Untouchables. I’m sure this was a dilemana, but not at first as the movie was first titled

Untoucables, but somewhere along the line they removed the “s” and now it’s called Untouchable.
The story line is true to the original sources tell me

After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver.

Production began in Philadelphia on February 1 for the 2018 American remake of the 2011 French film The Intouchables starring François Cluzet and Omar Sy, which amassed $426.6M at the global box office. Tuesday April 4th was the 43th day of 43 days filming the Bryan Cranston/Kevin Hart/Nicole Kidman movie Untouchable in the Philadelphia area.  I was there the first day of filming, as well as the first week (Philly.com), and it was a good time. What a great cast and crew, everyone was so wonderful on the set and I had no problems getting the shots I needed.

Last night I was at the Untouchable wrap party, which was held at the Stotsberry Mansion, near Rittenhouse Square at 19th and Walnut. Guests included cast and crew, and by cast everyone who had a speaking part I was told. Sorry extras. I got to chat with a lot of the behind the scenes folks who told me the great camaraderie on the set, as well as the ease of set up in the various locations which included filming scenes on Broad Street that first week, with little to no traffic interruption. For me it was definitely one of the best shoots, seeing the souped up Ferrari driving down the majestic blvd, it was a tight shot so nearly any spot I stood on on Broad Street kept me out of the directors line of sight, which certainly makes both our jobs easier.

Then we all headed over to “The Center For Architecture” on Arch Street. I had no idea they were filming the movie there, but it was perfect as one of my clients, Food Shelter, is the PR for the business. The photo was published everywhere, and nationally. It’s a great place to visit as well, they have a fun gift/book store, which long ago was at the corner of 17th and Sansom, now the Palomar Hotel, which by the way many crew members stayed as well as the Sofitel.

Oh and since we’re on that subject and they’re all checked out, Director Neil Berger stayed at Roost Rittenhouse. Kevin Hart  stayed at the AKA University City. I believe Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman stayed at The Rittenhouse Hotel. Her assistants ate at Barclay Prime one night and everyone expected her to show but she didn’t, and same goes for Scarpetta in the Rittenhouse Hotel; Nicole cancelled at the last minute.

If you thought you saw Malia Obama in Philly last month, you did. She is interning for The Weinstein Company which is producing the Untouchable movie. She spent most of her time at the Sun Center Studios in Aston, PA.
Guests told me they had a great time at the party, which served Philly Fare – soft pretzels, Rita’s Water Ice, Cheese Steaks and Federal Donuts.

Jason Loftus and Diane Heery of Loftus-Heery Casting. They cast Untouchable, as well as most movies that shoot in Philly.
They are not my “source”, as I always tell them I won’t ask them or Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office,  about movies or rumors as I know they sign non-disclosures, as
well as if they told me not to write about something and hold it I might lose it to another media outlet; I just can’t take that chance, because if I’m hearing about it on the street, then others are probably hearing it as well. BTW Sharon Pinkenson was spotted at the party as well.
I rely on the readers of PhillyChitChat who are always very generous on tip giving, and I go out and get the stories and photos for
them.
Thanks to the dozen or so who helped me with Untouchable. I think we did a great job bringing the stories to our friends.
And hopefully showcasing what a great place Philly is to film.

Jeffrey Rotwitt, president and CEO of Sun Center Studios and wife Dianne Rotwitt;
Rotwitt looks forward to more films coming to Philly, but in the meantime I hear he’s going forward with plans to
build a hotel, and a theme part on the vast acreage he has in Aston, Pa where Sun Center Studios is located.

I’ve been photographing celebrities for over a decade now, and I really check my celebrity fan guy status; BUT every time I photographed Bryan Cranston my heart skipped a beat. I loved Breaking Bad and can’t believe I got to meet, chat with and photograph Walter White.

Celebrities really don’t like it when photographers do #selfies with them, or get autographs. They don’t like paparazzi jumping
out of bushes either, but well I gotta do my job and if I have to jump out of a bush, or hide in a tree I’d do it. BTW cast members told me that over the
weekend Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston filmed a paragliding scene near Blue Mountain, PA. A photographer got a set of photos, and the cast told me
the guy was hiding in trees nearby. After I heard about the story, I search for the photos and found them Here are a few of his shots and the story on Daily Mail.

Director Neil Burger (who also shot Limitless with another Philadelphia son – Bradley Cooper here) he said Philly is the best City to film in, the people are great, the neighborhoods are lively but respectful, and the locations are diverse and we have a great movie studio Sun Center Studios
He can’t wait to come back again to film.

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When I arrived last night at 10PM, as I was having dinner with friends, unfortunately Kevin Hart had left. He was in and out in ten minutes my friends told me, dressed in his tradmark Nike sandals, with black socks and a sweatsuit; he told them he couldn’t wait to get back to his family, dogs as well as get a haircut and shave as his character has a beard in the movie.
He said he’ll be back soon to sign copies of his new book, he’s also being honored by the Philadelphia Arts & Biz Council May 23, 2017 and JUly 6th is Kevin Hart Day in Philly, it’s his birthday

As I was leaving the police pulled up and told security that the party was too loud, and to shut it down as they were nearing the midnight curfew.
It really was wrap day as the Untouchables Shut Down the Untouchable cast party last night!!

Saturday night The Red Ball 2017 took place once again at Philadelphia’s own Lincoln Financial Field. Dancing, live entertainment and a silent auction entertained the guests who gathered at the annual event to raise much needed funds to support the Red Cross House – Center for Disaster Recovery and local disaster relief.

guests also enjoyed tastings from over two dozen restaurants

Ken Topping, Director and Regional Planning Coordinator for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force (SEPA RTF) and Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes (ret.), chief executive officer of the  American Red Cross of Eastern PA

Steve Barsony , Cristina Barsony , Corey Waldenberg and Captain Will Woldenberg

Gus Calabrese, Ashley Smith Baptiste, Nicole Stultz-Miller and Dwayne Wimmer

The Meaning of Life Cake – by Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House

Mr and Mrs Gibson

What an honor to meet my #biggestfan Bianca Mandel, here with her hubby Dr Dale Mandel. Bianca told me that she follows me on Facebook and Twitter, she reads Philly chitchat every day (HI!!) and she’s on Instagram. Bianca is in the know. So sweet, made my weekend!!

The newly married Todd and Jillian Borow. They told me I photographed them last year and they hadn’t been married yet.
They must always be fashionable as I’ve chosen them in columns before.

Devin Scimeca and Keith Jones, NBC 10

Honarary Co-Chair for the evening was Vince Papale. I didn’t see him but I did run into his lovely wife Janet and children Gabriella and Vinny.

The Bock’s

Kevin Ellison and Angela Davis

Tito’s Tailgate Games, where guests donated $20 to play ring on the bottle or skee ball for a chance to win a Tito’s package, while also
donating funds for the Red Cross Playground at the Red Cross Home
Ashlee Rossi was on hand to help out

Bethany Piccone and Maryellen from Cakes & Candies by Maryellen with their Tailgate cake of steaks,
hotdogs, and chicken

Best Friends at the Red Ball 2017
Mary Ann Milner, (c) Director, Special Events for American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania.

The best dish at The Red Ball 2017 – Brisket with Mac & Cheese
Mission BBQ in the Northeast, so good.

Gina Gannon, On-air QVC host for WEN by Chaz Dean, Fill in Traffic Reporter for 6ABC’s Action News, Fill-in Weather Anchor on PHl 17, Roberta Pipito Chef, TV lifestyle expert & contributor @droz & @fox29philly, food/travel blogger.  Rick Pipito, Top 25 Author of the award winning PANDORA’S CHAOS and EDEN’S ORDER Trilogies, Gervase Peterson, Burnz Cigar Vault & Lounge and Geno Vento, famed cheese steak connoisseur and chef

Helping Homeless Families: Drueding Center Stairway to Our Future Gala on March 25, 2017
at the Loews Hotel

Good Monday, I hope you all have a wonderful week. I get to cover many glamorous events, notable events, but it’s the charity events that really feed my soul. Last week I covered two organizations which I had never heard about before SPIN and the Drueding Center. I am so grateful to be able to shed some light on these amazing organizations that do extraordinary things for those in crisis.

The Sisters of the Holy Redeemer founded Drueding Center in 1987 as Project Rainbow.  They serve the most vulnerable, helping them recover the dignity of standing on their own.  Unique among Philadelphia’s transitional housing organizations in the length of time they stay involved with families—up to seven years after they leave Drueding Center—and in the quality and breadth of our interconnected programs.

Lisa Simon, SPRYTE, Dr. David Nugiel and Mary Anna Rodabough, Holy Redeemer Health System

Janice Kramer, Ebony Wright, Anne Marie Collins, executive Director at Holy Redeemer Health System and Patty Wynne

After the cocktail party the guests headed into the beautifully decorated ballroom for dinner and a short program

As Philadelphia’s first transitional housing program for homeless women and children, Drueding Center has developed a comprehensive program that meets the needs of both generations of our young families. We acknowledge that healing takes time, and preserve our families’ achievements through an extensive After Care program, forever breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness.  We are proud to report that we are a program that works.

If you would like to donate to Stairway to Our Future, click here.

I headed upstairs to the 18th Annual Black-Tie GayBINGO which I will be writing about this week. #CatchingUp in #SpringSocialSeason

Hello Thursday. Hope everyone is having a great week. Finally today the sun is scheduled to shine. Last year you’ll recall I broke the news that Capital One Café was moving across the street from the south side of 17th and Walnut, to a larger space on the north side of 17th and Walnut Streets at the Latham (source) The time has come, the new Capital One Café has opened and they are redesigning the banking experience.

We’ve been lucky enough to have Capital One Café for quite a few years across the street from the current one, but the new location brings with it additional excitement with Capital One’s Banking Reimagined which helps people understands their finances and the beneficial services which Capital One provides in an inviting space where you can go to get answers to your financial questions, recharge your devices, enjoy free wifi or simply connect with people.

I’ve already had two meetings there since they’ve opened.

There’s also a coffee bar serving Peet’s Coffee and treats from Philadelphia Bakery Merchants, High Point Cafe, York Street Market, and Bakeshop on 20th.

The pastries, sandwiches and snack boxes are reasonably priced (I had the fruit and cheese snack box it was $3.78) , and Capital One card customers get 50 percent off coffee and tea.

There are nooks with seating, as well as plenty of tables on both levels. great Peet’s coffee, pastries, lunch items, products and banking services.

There are demo bars to learn digital tools for banking. As well as screens where you can learn banking, and financial services.
Capital One Café Coach Jimmy shows me how to use the digital tools which are mounted on the wall.  The interactive screens, designed by the same company as the Smithsonian, each of which features interactive quizzes and content built around financial education.

Coach Jimmy also gave me a tour of all the amenities Capital One Café offers, like private meeting rooms, and conference rooms, which both can be used for non-profits free of charge; there were also private meeting offices available for clients to interact privately with ambassadors about the best solution for their financial goals.

Did I mention the new cafe is two floors, and the 2nd floor looks down onto the first floor, and guests can enjoy people watching at it’s best as they look through the two level windows that look out onto Walnut Street

There are four ATM’s which allow you to take out any denomination of money. If you need $12, you can take out $12, which is great cause the ATM’s these days usually only dispense $20s. You can also make deposits, and transfer funds between accounts at the ATM’s. The other two ATM’s can be accessed from the street 24hrs a day. All the ATM’s are free of charge whether you have a Capital One card, or another banks debit card.

In addition to everything else, this year Capital One will offer free workshops and sessions with a money coach. The  Money Workshops, are a series of complimentary 1-2 hour long sessions at the Capital One Cafes on topics like “How to Talk Money With Your Honey”, “How to Make Your Golden Years Shine Bright”, “Wise Wedding Planning” and more!  The Money Coach works with you to help you align your values, beliefs, goals, and spending to move toward what you want in life.

The workshops range in topics from planning for your wedding to preparing for your golden years and everything in between. You can visit Capitalone.com/cafes to see which workshops are available and get all the info about attending.

Philadelphia-based artist Paul Carpenter might be considered a “jack of all trades.” After graduating from the University of Delaware, Carpenter pursued his interest in a variety of different mediums—painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and digital arts—to make himself more hirable in the commercial field. As a freelance artist, Carpenter didn’t have the luxury of relying on a steady paycheck to help him pay his bills, so early on he prioritized commercial commissions over personal passions. (source)

This weekend the Banking Reimagined Tour stops in Philadelphia at Dilworth Park April 1 and April 2

As part of their commitment to redesign the banking experience, Capital One’s ‘Banking Reimagined’ Tour is coming to Dilworth Park in Philadelphia on April 1st-2nd from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Capital One’s ‘Banking Reimagined’ Tour will provide Philadelphians a hands-on digital experience designed to get them thinking and talking about personal finance in a new and engaging way. At the centerpiece is a state-of-the-art 54-foot trailer housing a smart, personal digital experience that recognizes participants at every stage. The experience includes

• Interactive Touchscreens that allow people to scroll through values and goals, giving them an understanding of how their outlook shapes the way they view their money
• A cutting-edge, Augmented Reality experience that lets people interact with 3D holographic imagery in real space and time, bringing their financial goals to life
• Video Selfie Booths where participants can record a message for their future selves with the knowledge they’ve gained from the experience

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Thank you Capital One for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own and were not directed by Capital One.  To learn more about Capital One, visit www.capitalone.com/cafes OR www.capitalone.com/bankingreimagined

It’s hard to believe that Eddie Keels founded Philly Currents  FIVE YEARS AGO. I remember when I heard about this start up magazine, and really was taken aback that an entrepreneur would venture down that road of a print magazine, since the pundits were saying PRINT WAS DEAD. But here were are five years later for Philly Current’s 5th Annual #PCpicks2017 Party at Revolution

Cover girl for the all important issue was pretty in pink Karen Hepp, of Fox 29. Over the years many of Fox 29’s personalities have graced the magazine, and many of them were there on the 5th anniversary party.

Gina Gannon, Eddie Keels and Renee Patrone

Eddie Keels: This wasn’t just another issue for us – this was a labor of love, whose sole mission was to showcase the amazingness we have going on in Philly! Isn’t that PC’s whole reason for existing? Yes. But pack 100+ slices of incredible into 48 pages, and that’s a recipe for the extraordinary! // One category went a step further and featured 4 individuals that are really upping the community standard in this great city of ours. We tipped our cap to @the_brittjames, @robs10kfriends, @hidden.mickey, and @cheyennegil, as they made up one spectacular page. We love what you’re doing day in and day out! // Everyone: if you don’t have this issue in print, now’s the time. We all deserve to feel good after reading a mag. Let us be your sliver of optimism 😃 [phillycurrent.com/subscribe]

Congrats Toni Moshen & Joshua Moshen of Sweet T’s – it’s a girl due May 1.

There were plenty of #PCpicks2017 on hand to feed the crowd including The Blue Duck, Slice Pizza, Yards, Pastificio Deli, Cupcakes by Ruth ! Florida Style Pizza,

Kory Aversa and Mom Aversa

Lauren Johnson and Alex Holley, both of Fox 29

A great crowd turned out to celebrate the monumental occassion

Sheila Hess, City Rep, Marla McDermott, Walnut Club and Charlie Kline

Serena Scanzillo and Andrew Marson

Tres Mack and Jarreau Freeman

Alloyius Mcilwaine, CEO/Founder of Cultures Clothing Company, PhillyCurrent’s Mover and Shaker Dave Luber with fiance and soon wife in May, Lizandra Borges and sister Kelsey Luber

Elizabeth Babson with her sister Karen Hepp

The Revolutions Team

With Renee Patrone, Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Priyanka Setty, Michelle Leonard, Deborah Penny Cassidy and Ruth Levitt Scott at Revolutions at Penn Treaty.

Ashley Smith Baptiste and Gus Calabrese

Jesse Robinson, Mitzi Jackson ,  Elise Keels and Eddie Keels

Tony Bruno, Podcaster, Humorist, Observationist with producer Robin Austin with Laura and Walt Martin

Tammy Jean, Eddie Keels, publisher and founder of Philly Current and Revati Dostti

Happy 5th Anniversary!!!

What a great asset to Philadelphia.

Subscribe to Philly Current for good quality content.